Hardware
Setting up a new computer
- Unbox the parts.
- Take a video of the unboxing so that you have proof if anything is missing.
- Take pictures of the serial numbers for later warranty registration.
- Also take a picture of the PSID (Physical Security ID) codes of the SSDs in the case you need to reset them later.
- Build the computer.
- If the computer is pre-built, remove supportive covers from within the computer.
- Update UEFI/BIOS and firmware as much as you can before installing the operating system.
- Reset the UEFI/BIOS default settings template to factory defaults.
- In other words, ensure that applying default settings actually applies the factory defaults and not a previously set custom configuration.
- This is “Default Setup” in HP UEFI/BIOS.
- Reset UEFI/BIOS to default settings.
- Reset the TPM.
- Reset the Secure Boot keys.
- Set the UEFI/BIOS settings.
- Protect the UEFI/BIOS settings with a password. Store it in a safe place, as resetting a forgotten UEFI/BIOS password can be difficult.
- Do not overclock yet.
- Run a RAM test such as Memtest86+.
- Boot the computer from a Linux USB drive and run SMART tests on the SSDs and badblocks on the HDDs.
- Install Windows (if needed).
- Install Linux (if needed).
- Update UEFI/BIOS and firmware (if not already updated).
- Configure Intel ME (or other manufacturer-provided management tool).
- Unconfigure ME to reset it to its default settings.
- Set a password even if you’re not going to use ME.
Not changing the default password is a security risk.
- Disable remote access to the ME console if you’re not going to use it.
- Run stress testing such as Prime95 and Furmark.
- Install software e.g. by using my installer script.
- Register the warranties.
- Set up automated backups.
- Use the computer for a few days or weeks to see that it’s stable.
- Overclock (if you want to).
Personal IT hardware
ASUS Zenith II Extreme
USB ports
| Ports | PCIe bus | IOMMU group | Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| SP_USB10 | Chipset -> USB 2.0 header (dual device) | ||
| USB_E910 | Chipset -> USB 2.0 header (single device) | ||
| USB32G1_1,2,3,4 | 0000:49:00.3 | 55 | |
| U32G1_E56 | Chipset -> header | ||
| U32G1_E78 | Chipset -> header | ||
| USB32G2_1,2 | 0000:05:00.3 | 18 | CPU -> back |
| USB32G2_3,4 | 0000:24:00.3 | 35 | CPU -> back |
| USB32G2_5 | 0000:49:00.3 | 55 | Chipset -> header |
| USB32G2_6 | Chipset -> header | ||
| USB32G2_7,9 | 0000:42:08.0 | 55 | Chipset -> back |
| U32G2_C8 | 0000:49:00.1 | 55 | Chipset -> back |
| U32G2X2_EC1 | 0000:22:00.0 / 0000:49:00.3 | 31 / 55 | CPU -> back |
The USB controllers are in the IOMMU groups 18, 31, 35 and 55.
This table does not yet include the front panel and USB-c ports.
A good way to find out the values above is to connect a device and run sudo lshw -html > lshw.html.